ROADTRIP NATION PRESENTS

Arizona’s landscape is colored by rugged red rocks and cavernous canyons etched from millions of years of history. But alongside the age-old geography, a very modern future is being built. Explore the norm-breaking advances taking place in Arizona as Anna, Jonathan, and Shandiin—three college students—road trip across the state to talk to Arizonans pushing the frontiers of ingenuity. As the roadtrippers travel from revived old ghost towns to cutting-edge space companies, they realize that innovation isn’t limited to one place or one industry. The future can be built by anyone, anywhere.

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INSIGHTS FROM THE FILM

“When people think of innovation, they think of tech. But innovators are people who can see a problem and create a solution for it, regardless of the industry.”

Kimber Lanning, Founder & Executive Director, Local First Arizona

“You measure a person’s strength by their ability to adapt to ever-changing circumstances. Adaptation is innovation.”

Bob Schoose, Mayor, Goldfield Ghost Town

“There’s always a new big idea to build and be involved in; a constant quest that leads from one idea to another, and another. When you keep pushing the limit, it creates excitement, and inspires other people to contribute.”

Chris Matthieu, CEO, Computes, Inc.

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We’re exploring every corner of Arizona, to see how the ideas taking shape here are creating a bright vision for what’s next.

Arizona’s spirit of adventure is shaping the future for all of us, and we’re sending three students on a road trip to find out what’s in store. We’re criss-crossing the state in our green RV to explore all the crazy-original ways people are pushing innovation to its limits, and seeking out the people who are blazing a trail for what’s next all over the country. Follow the journey to hear their stories and see Arizona like you’ve never seen it before.

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INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

Home sweet motorhome. #roadtrip #ArizonaInnovation

Today's the last day of filming for our #ArizonaInnovation Roadtrip. It's been a wild ride!

Thank you Tom Arvisio for meeting with us! As CEO & Co-Founder of the Navajo Times, we know you have a busy schedule.

There's always enough time to take a quick selfie, especially when you're sitting on top of the green RV!

There are all sorts of innovators in Arizona. This week we've been driving around and getting inspired by their stories! Added bonus: views like this. #ArizonaInnovation #roadtrip

Just taking a moment to let it all sink in.

Jonathan is inspired by the way people make things happen. He's on this roadtrip to motivate himself to push past his fears and start innovating.

Inspired by a love of journalism, Shandiin is looking to experience everything life has to offer!

Jim Cantrell, CEO & Co-Founder of Vector Space Systems, works hard to make innovations in the aerospace and high technology industries.

It was such an experience stepping back in time with Bob Schoose, Town-owner of Goldfield, AZ! Thank you for sharing your journey with us!

Every canyon deserves to be admired.

The Goldfield Ghost town knows how to put on a show! Bob Schoose and his wife lovingly restored the town to help preserve a slice of history in Arizona.

The wonderful road-trippers of the Arizona Innovation Roadtrip!

Moments like these remind us to always take a step back and look at the big picture. Arizona, you're beautiful.

Caught Chromeo at the McDowell Mountain Music Festival 2016! They got us movin' and groovin' to the music.

We stopped by the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, AZ, to admire the different cacti. Did you know there are more than 51 species of cacti in Arizona alone?

FUELED BY:

THE ROADTRIPPERS

ANNA

JONATHAN

SHANDIIN

ANNA MACKEY

Age 19
From Phoenix, AZ

For Anna, innovation is all about figuring out how to get somewhere by a
different path. As a kid, traveling with her dad to Arizona’s forgotten towns,
she’d step into a whole different world shaped by the stories of the people who
lived there. Those adventures helped reveal her love of history. But it’s not
just observing that Anna is interested in, it’s listening—people want to be
heard, she says. She wants to create space for that human connection to history,
whether as a documentarian, or something else. But taking a different path also
means taking a risk. That’s why she’s seeking advice from trailblazers who pushed
their fear of failure aside, so she can gain the confidence to do the same.

JONATHAN REISS

Age 19
From Nashville, TN

Jonathan didn’t grow up here, but when it came time to choose a college,
Arizona just felt right. Coming here didn’t change me, he says, it helped me
realize the person I was destined to become. The freedom of a new, wide-open
place helped him focus on what makes him happy. A self-described nerd, he’s
always on the hunt for new ideas. He’s studying chemical engineering, but plans
to take those problem-solving skills into web development, music, and more. The
only thing holding him back is wanting to do too much. He’s inspired by the way
people here make things happen. He wants to be like that—not over-thinking details
or getting paralyzed by possibilities—just boldly putting your ideas out there.

SHANDIIN GORMAN

Age 18
From Mesa, AZ

Shandiin is looking to the future. She wants to find what it holds for journalism,
and for the Navajo Nation, where she grew up. Her future, ideally, will combine both.
As a Native American youth advocate, coming together with other young people to take
on issues faced by her community, she’s found support and inspiration. It’s opened
her eyes to those who have overcome challenges like the ones she faces, and those
stories push her to keep going. Coming from a single parent home, she’s shouldered a
lot of responsibility—working two jobs while in school (and still making honors!).
But she’s on this trip to find what you don’t get in school; the things you only
realize by experiencing them.